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Book Review of The Book of Bright Ideas

The Book of Bright Ideas
StacyJ avatar reviewed on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16


I had never heard of this author before, but I LOVED this book. It was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It was one of those where I was sad when it was over.

Told by nine year old Evelyn "Button" Peters. The year is 1961. Button has seemingly cold parents and not many friends. Her only source of affection seems to come from her Aunt Verdella, who wasn't able to have children of her own. Button spends as much time with her as possible, but it still isn't the same as having a 'best friend.' Then the Malone sisters, Freeda and Winnalee, come busting through their small country town changing everything and everyone. Winnalee is nine like Button and though they are totally different, they become fast friends. Winnalee is a fiesty little girl who carries her mother's ashes around in a jar and a big book she calls "The Book of Bright Ideas." She is trying to record the mysteries of life in the book. Her sister, Freeda, is in her twenties and wild and a little loose. She has no trouble tellin' it like it is. The men in town swarm around her and the women can't help but hate her.

Basically the book shows how just a little love can change a whole family and a small town.